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The Needle-Less Treatment of Pain and Anxiety in the Pediatric Patient

  • Pain Management (S Mace, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Emergency and Hospital Medicine Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

We recognize the possibility of a needle stick can be an overwhelming fear for a child. We seek to review the needle-less options available to medical personnel for the treatment of pain and anxiety in children.

Recent Findings

We found that many new needle-less options exist for the treatment of pain and anxiety. Pharmacological measures, beyond the oral and enteral routes of medication administration, include intra-nasal and topical routes. Non-pharmacological treatments, including distraction techniques and oral sucrose for infants, are increasingly being recognized as viable treatments as the scientific community begins to study the effects these interventions can have on pediatric pain.

Summary

There are many options to treat pediatric pain and anxiety that do not involve the use of a needle. Using needle-less methods of treatment helps pediatric care providers send a message of partnership with children and families.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Alison R. Gardner

  2. Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow, Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Kimberly Myers

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  1. Alison R. Gardner
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  2. Kimberly Myers
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Correspondence to Alison R. Gardner.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pain Management

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Gardner, A.R., Myers, K. The Needle-Less Treatment of Pain and Anxiety in the Pediatric Patient. Curr Emerg Hosp Med Rep 5, 142–148 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40138-017-0141-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40138-017-0141-6

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